A wonderful ski-trip in the Vanylven mountains

I was keen on a ski-trip, but the usual spring candidates (Eidskyrkja, Sunndalsnipa, etc.) didn’t tickle my fancy, so I started to look for other alternatives. I knew two things; there was snow on the Sandegga massif in Vanylven – and – there was a mountain road. I could see this mountain road from my house on Gurskøya, and there seemed to be snow in the upper part. I took my chances and got on the first ferry from Årvika to Koparneset.

The upper part of the mountain road – snow!

After driving in and out of Syvdsfjorden, I reached the village Rovde, turned north on the road to Årskogdalen and drove up to 460m, where I had to park the car. From the trailhead, I couldn’t quite tell how far I would have to carry the skis.

Trailhead view. Storhornet to the right. I carried the skis halfway up the flank in the middle

Karma (my dog) and I headed out at 2:15pm, from 450m elevation. I carried the skis for 15 minutes up to 590m elevation, before I could put them on.

The snow was a bit soft in the beginning, and Karma struggled. But the snow quality improved quickly, and we had a nice journey towards Trollkoppehornet.

On our way to Trollkoppehornet. Storhornet to the right.

There wasn’t a lot of snow on the ridge between Trollkoppehornet and Sandegga, but just enough for skiing all the way to Sandegga.

The ridge to Sandegga (far right)

From Sandegga, I skied down to a viewpoint above Høystakken – a pinnacle/peak that is part of “Syvdsalpane” or “Breiteigsfjella” and looks just amazing when seen from Syvdsfjorden. It didn’t look too bad from above, either, and I decided that I want to make an attempt to reach the top later this year. It might be a good idea to carry a rope…

Looking down on Høystakken (center)

On our way back, we passed just south of Trollkoppehornet and I had a very nice ride down to the Trollkoppehornet – Storhornet saddle, while Karma probably was thinking in line of “I’m too old for this s…“, and tagged along in a moderate pace.

Karma, on the way down from Trollkoppehornet

While skiing up to Storhornet, I made sure to follow a route so that Karma could walk where the snow had melted. But she insisted on following my tracks. Either she is stupid, or she loves snow more than I realize…

On top of Storhornet. Skoratinden in the background

I had yet another fun ride down from Storhornet, while Karma struggled in the soft snow.

Karma on the way down from Storhornet

We were back at the car 5:25pm, 3h:10m after heading out. I was filled with joy over having done such as nice trip in Vanylven – at this altitude (< 1000m) this late in May.